Esther Helton takes the oath of office from Judge Lila Statom, left, as two of her children, Lisa Lewis and Lee Helton look on, Monday night at City Hall.

East Ridge has two new members of the City Council, as Esther Helton and Brian Williams were sworn in Thursday night at City Hall.

Hamilton County Sessions Court Judge Lila Statom administered the oath of office to Helton, the first elected city councilwoman in 20 years. Helton swore to the oath while her daughter Lisa Lewis held the Holy Bible and her son, Lee Helton looked on.

State Representative Marc Gravitt, the man whose seat Williams will literally sit in on the council dais, administered the oath to Williams, who was accompanied by his wife, Shelley.

Helton won office in November in a landslide. She will take the place of Denny Manning, who had served 12 continuous years on the council and is term-limited. Williams is taking over for Gravitt, who was elected in 2012, served two years and ran for the State House. His remaining two years he served the public both in Nashville and East Ridge.

Once sworn in, the new council members took their seats on the dais and faced their first order of business: electing a Vice Mayor. And it didn’t take the freshmen long to get into the spirit of things.

Councilwoman Helton nominated Councilman Larry Sewell, a 10-year veteran of the council. Williams seconded her motion.

As City Recorder Janet Middleton carried out the roll call, there was a lighthearted moment. 

“Councilman (Jacky) Cagle,” Middleton began. “Councilman Manning … oh, I’m sorry.”

Those gathered to witness the ceremony laughed as Middleton corrected herself and asked for “Councilperson Helton’s” vote.

Mayor Brent Lambert said that Middleton’s misstep was understandable as the City Recorder had called for Manning’s vote for the last 12 years.

Manning, from the audience said, “Notice I didn’t say anything.” More chuckles.

After the council unanimously adopted Helton’s motion for Sewell to become the next Vice Mayor, Mayor Lambert, as is his custom in concluding council meetings, went around the table and asked for parting comments from those serving.

Helton thanked Judge Statom for swearing her in, her family and friends for support during the election and all those who voted for her.

“I’ve got some big shoes to fill, some big white shoes to fill,” Helton said in reference to her predecessor, Manning, who is perhaps known best for wearing exclusively white shoes to the council meetings regardless of the season.

Helton said she was “dedicated to the community” and looked forward to working with her colleagues moving the city forward.

Williams thanked the citizens for voting for him and said he was honored to serve. He thanked Manning for his long service to the city and wished him the best, as well as Gravitt.

Mayor Lambert said he had confidence in the new council and its ability to help the city move forward. 

“I congratulate the both of you,” Lambert said to Helton and Williams. “(Your election) illustrates this community has a great deal of faith in you, and that’s no small thing.”

Prior to the swearing in of the new council members, Mayor Lambert presented plaques to both Manning and Gravitt, a token of gratitude for their service to the city.

“It was an honor to serve,” an emotional Manning began. “Some people have asked me, ‘won’t you be glad to get out?’ Nope. It’s like my family.”

Manning thanked the Mayor for the plaque and reminded everyone that he would still be active in the city, as he will remain the City Chaplain.

Gravitt thanked the mayor for the plaque and recognized dignitaries in the audience, including Hamilton County School Board member David Testerman and County Assessor of Property Marty Haynes.

Then Gravitt became more somber.

“The first thing I learned (as councilman), it’s a lot easier to be sitting out there than it is to be sitting up there,” he said as he motioned to the dais. 

He wished the new council members the best in making decisions for the 21,000 residents of East Ridge.

Brian Williams, center, shakes the hand of Rep. Marc Gravitt,, as Shelley Williams looks on after her husband was sworn in as City Councilman, Monday evening at City Hall.